Do I need a keyless entry lock?

It’s difficult to fully secure any home, despite what you may see in the movies. If a burglar wants to get into our home, chances are he or she will find a way to do it—if they are determined enough.

There are different types of locks, however, that will discourage most would-be intruders and can make your home safer. Keyless entry locks, for example, are becoming more popular because they can stop burglars from getting into your home the most common ways—by picking the locks or using bump keys. Lock bumping is a type of lock picking that uses a specially crafted key—called a bump key—to force lock tumblers open. Like traditional lock picking, it requires a key lock, so turning to a keyless system may be enough to deter thieves.

Keyless, or digital entry locks have been around for decades—you’ve seen them in apartment buildings, office buildings, hospitals, government facilities or storage facilities to name a few. The transition to home use has been a relatively recent invention.

Here are a few types:

Pushbutton locks
Pushbutton locks require you to enter a combination, usually between four and six digits, on some sort of keypad. Not only are they difficult to crack, but they’re easily reprogrammable. If you have someone watch your house while you’re away on vacation or have someone come to stay with you you can easily change the combination when you get back or they go home.

Remote-controlled locks
Remote-controlled locks are just like the type you may have with your car. No combination is necessary—you just use the key fob to lock and unlock the door.

Fingerprint locks 
It’s true—they’re not just for James Bond or Mission Impossible movies any more. Fingerprint locks are a bit on the expensive side, but they’re very secure. Also, like push button locks, they are reprogrammable. You can enter a number of fingerprints and add or delete to the accepted fingerprints at any time. Plus, you can forget a combination or misplace a remote-controlled key fob, but you can’t lose your fingerprint. (They’re easier to carry, too).

In the proper circumstances, keyless entry locks can help make your home safer. The key word there is ‘help.’ Remember, locks are only part of your home security system. Make sure you have solid wood or steel exterior doors, steel door jams and, if you have sidelight glass on either side of your door, replace it with shatter-resistant polycarbonate. Your locks are only as good as the environment they’re set in.